Typographical slug casting machine



June 1, 1937. c. A. ALBRECHT TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 6? I72 Vania-2:

June 1, 1937. c. A. ALBRECHT TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May 10, 1935 s sneis-sneet 2 I 12 mentor June 1, 1937. c. A. ALBRECHT 2,032,531

TYPOGRAPHICAL swccAsune MACHINE Filed May 10, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 1, 1937 PATENT OFFICE TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Christian Augustus Albrecht, Berlin, Germany, assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, Brooklyn, N. Y., a company of New York Application May 10, 1935, Serial No. 20,802 In Germany May 18, 1934 17' Claims.

The invention relates to typographical slug casting machines particularly adapted for easting from lines of matrices manually inserted into the machine. Heretofore in machines normally adapted for casting from machine-composed matrices, and wherein such matrices are transferred to a vertically movable transporter or first elevator by which they are conveyed to and from casting position, it has been proposed to provide for casting from lines of hand composed matrices by using, in conjunction with means for retaining the elevator in an inactive position clear of the casting mechanism, special forms of composing sticks which can be applied to and detached from a stationary member of the machine or so-called vise frame with which the elevator normally co-operates in presenting a machine composed matrix line to the mould. In more recent developments of machines of this kind designed solely for the use of hand composed matrices, it has been proposed to transfer composed matrix-lines from a composing stick to the elevator, or to insert the line and composing stick as a whole into the elevator, which is arrested in an upper position to receive the matrix line and subsequently opcr-- ated to convey the line to and from the casting position.

The principal object of the present invention is to further simplify the construction of machines designed for the reception of matrix-lines manually inserted in the machine, by dispensing with the first elevator altogether, and by providing the stationary member of the machine, or socalled vise-frame, with a matrix-line carrier or hand stick carrier permanently mounted thereon, into which matrices, or a hand stick wherein matrices have been composed in line, may be inserted directly by hand. Further features of the invention consist in the provision of means adjustable to vary the level at which the composed line is supported in relation to the mould, and the provision of a safety device cooperating with a pump stop lever of known form whereby the ejection of metal from the mould is prevented in the event of the machine being set into operation without a matrix line having been placed in casting relationship to the mould.

The invention is herein more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the pertinent parts of a machine with one constructional form of the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the parts represented in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the vise frame ofthe machine showing a hand stick in operative position thereon;

Figure 4 is a central vertical section of the parts shown in Figure 1, with the carrier adjusting lever in its central position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of ,a detail;

Figure 6 is a rear elevation, similar to Figure 3 illustrating the pump stop lever actuating device, and

Figures 7 and 8 are plan views showing the said device in respectively different positions.

The mould disc I is provided, in the customary manner, with a number of moulds one of which is indicated by the reference numeral 2, Figure 4. In front of the mould disc is located a relaa tively stationary member 3 of the machine in which the line of matrices is supported during casting; said member corresponds to the so-called vise frame of known machines and is hereinafter designated by that term. In the constructional example illustrated, it is assumed that the vise frame is, as usual, pivotally mounted in the machine frame, to which it is locked, in the opera ative position, by means of bolts 4, one only 01' which is illustrated in the drawings.

To permit the direct introduction of a composing stick into the vise frame, a composing stick carrier is provided which, in the constructional example given, comprises a stationary part 5 rigidly attached to the vise frame and an adjustable part 6. The stationary part 5 has an upper horizontal flange extending over the top of the vise frame and positioned thereon by means of screws 7, and a vertical flange extend-- ing downwardly at the rear of the vise frame-to which it is secured as by screws 1*. The adjustable part 6 is vertically guided in the vertical flange of the part 5 by a dovetail tongue-andgroove connection 8. To effect adjustment of the member 6, a rack 9 is secured within a recess 9 in the said member, with which rack engages a pinion I0, also located Within the recess, which is fixed to the end of a shaft I I turning in a bearing member I2 secured either to the member 5 as shown or to the vise frame 3. The forward end of the shaft II has fast on it an adjusting lever l3. The free end It of the said lever I3 is formed hollow and fitted with a spring I4 and a plunger l5 having at its outer end a knurled cap H and at its inner end a pin 18 adapted to engage one or other of a number of holes I9 in a segmental plate 20. The plate 2|) may be formed integral with the bearing member l2, and may be provided with a division scale indicating the adjustments represented by the respective holes I9, so that by the adjustment of the lever I3 to the desired position, the pinion I!) will be turned and the rack bar 9 moved to adjust the member 6 to a higher or lower level.

The composing stick 2| in which the matrices 22 are composed in line, consists of a frame, the lower wall of which, in the constructional form illustrated, is angular in cross-section as shown in Figure 4. At one end of the frame there is a jaw 23 adjustable by a screw 24 to securely hold the line of matrices in the frame. The frame is supported upon angle-shaped stops 26 by two ledges 25 located on its lower face.

The frame is further provided with two downwardly projecting lugs 25 which are adapted to rest against stops 26 secured to the member 6, which stops are recessed to retain the lugs against displacement in a direction perpendicular to the member 6. To prevent lateral displacement of the hand stick when positioned in the carrier, a lug 28 extending downwardly from thelower wall of the hand stick abuts against the side of one of the stops 26, and the opposite sidewall of the stick rests against an abutment 21. To secure the hand stick against vertical displacement a screw 29 fitted with a collar 3|] is provided in the member 6. As shown in Figures 2 and 5 the collar 30 is cut away, so that in one position, that illustrated in Figure 5, the hand stick 2| may be freely inserted from above into the member 6, while in another position, illustrated in Figure 2, the collar 30 engages the top of the hand stick 2| and secures it against upward movement. On the collar 3|] an abutment pin 3| is provided, which, in the position shown in Figure 5, bears against a shoulder 32 on the member 6. On the underside of the collar 30 there is a spiral groove 33, which, when the screw is rotated, engages over a pin 34 on the hand stick 2| and holds the latter against the member 6.

The mode of operation of the device is as follows:The matrices 22 are inserted and clamped in the hand stick 2| in known manner. With the screw 29 and collar 30 in the position shown in Figure 5, the hand stick is placed against the member 6, and the screw 29 gives a quarter turn. The hand stick is then securely held between the abutments 2S and 21 and the collar 30. The lever I3 is then adjusted according to the level at which it is desired to align the matrices relatively to the mould slot, and locked in its adjusted position by the engagement of the pin l8 in the appropriate hole |9. The casting operation then follows in the usual manner; after casting, the hand stick is removed from the machine and may be replaced by another hand stick.

The constructional form of hand stick carrier above described is intended for application to a vise frame which conforms as nearly as possible to standard construction, but devoid of the usual vise jaws one of which normally serves, on correct justification of a machine composed matrix line, to control a safety device by which the casting pump is permitted to act. In the use of a hand stick as above described, it may happen that the machine is inadvertently started without a hand stick having been inserted, or with an empty hand stick in position on the carrier, and it is desirable that in such circumstances the pump safety device should become operative to prevent ejection of metal from the metal pot. The arrangement illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 has been provided for this purpose. According to the said arrangement, a plunger 35 mounted in the carrier member 6, is urged outwardly towards the line of matrices in the hand stick, by a spring 36. The plunger 35 is formed with a recess 35* having one inclined wall, with which recess the bevelled end of a plunger 31 is adapted to engage under the influence of a spring 38. The opposite end of the plunger 31 bears against a U-shaped slide 39 the outer arm of which contacts with an adjustable abutment 4| on a pump stop lever 60 of known form. Normally the plunger 35 occupies the position indicated in Figure 8, and the pump stop lever 40, under the action of a spring not shown, is in position to prevent the actuation of the pump. When a hand stick containing a line of matrices is inserted into the carrier, the plunger 35 will be pushed back to the position in which it is shown in Figure 7, and the plunger 3? will be cammed leftwardly as viewed in that figure so that, through the slide 38, the pump stop lever 43 will be moved to its inactive position, and the casting operation permitted to proceed, which operation, however, cannot occur in the absence of matrices to depress the plunger 35.

It will be understood that the foregoing description deals with a preferred form of the invention, and that modifications or variations of the constructions exemplified may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the adjustable member 6 of the carrier for receiving the hand stick 2| might be dispensed with, and the hand stick itself provided with suitable devices such as set screws or other adjustable stops to support the stick on the carrier at the desired level.

Moreover, although the use of a hand stick as above described has the advantage that a number of composing sticks can be made available for the composition of fresh lines whilst those previously composed are being cast, the composing stick could be arranged to form part of the member hereinbefore termed the carrier; in that case, by tilting back the vise frame, the matrices could be inserted directly into the carrier.

Having described my invention, I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame, in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick in which matrices are composed in line, a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, comprising a member slidable in fixed guides, a rack operatively fast to said slidable member, a pinion engaging said rack, a bearing member fixed relatively to the vise frame in which said pinion is rotatable, a lever adapted to rotate said pinion and a locking device adapted to secure said lever against displacement from its adjusted position.

2. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick in which matrices are composed in line, a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, co-operating lugs and abutments on the hand stick and carrier adapted to determine the position of the stick relatively to the carrier, and a locking device operable to secure the hand stick in said determined position.

3. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and. a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick in which matrices are composed in line, a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, co-operating lugs and abutments on the hand stick and carrier adapted to determine the position of the stick relatively to the carrier, and a mutilated collar rotatably mounted on the carrier adapted in one position to permit free insertion and removal of the hand stick and in another position to overlie the stick and lock it on the carrier.

4. In a typographical slug casting machine, a combination according to claim 3, characterized by a spiral groove on the underside of the locking collar, and a pin on the carrier engaged by said groove when the collar is turned to active position, to hold the hand stick against the carrier.

5. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick in which matrices are composed in line, a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, co-operating lugs and abutments on the hand stick and carrier adapted to determine the position of the stick relatively to the carrier, a mutilated collar rotatably mounted on the carrier adapted in one position to permit free insertion and removal of the hand stick and in another position to overlie the stick and lock it on the carrier, and means secured to the vise frame operable to adjust the level at which the hand stick is supported relatively to the mould.

6. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould, a stationary vise frame, a pump stop lever and a hand stick adapted to be inserted into the stationary vise frame to support a composed line of matrices in casting relation to the mould, of a pump stop lever control device actuated to release the pump by the insertion into the. vise frame of the hand stick with its composed line of matrices.

7. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould, a stationary vise frame, a pump stop lever and a hand stick adapted to be inserted into the stationary vise frame to support a composed line of matrices in casting relation to the mould, of a spring-loaded plunger normally extending beyond the vise frame in a position to be depressed by a line of matrices inserted into said vise frame, and connections between said plunger and the pump stop lever whereby the latter is actuated to release the pump when the plunger is depressed.

8. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould, a stationary vise frame, a hand stick carrier mounted on the vise frame, a hand stick adapted to be inserted into said carrier to support a composed line of matrices in casting relation to the mould, and a pump stop lever, of a spring-loaded plunger mounted in the carrier and extending therefrom in a position tobe. depressed by a line of matrices when the hand stick is positioned on the carrier, a second spring loaded plunger mounted in the carrier of the first-named plunger to move the pump stop lever to pump-releasing position.

9. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould, a stationary vise frame, a hand stick carrier mounted on the vise frame, a hand stick adapted to be inserted into said carrier to support a composed line of matrices in casting relation to the mould, and apump stop lever, of a spring-loaded plunger mounted in the carrier and extending therefrom in a position to be. depressed by a line of matrices when the hand stick is positioned on the carrier, a second spring-loaded plunger mounted on the carrier normally engaged with a recess in. the first-named plunger and adapted to be. moved out of the recess when. said first-named plunger is depressed, and a slide actuated by said movement of the second plunger to move the pump stop lever to pump-releasing position.

10. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line, and a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame and having a fixed portion whereon is mounted a vertically adjustable section adapted to receive a hand stick manually inserted therein.

11. A combination according to claim 10, in-

eluding manually operable means mounted on the carrier for adjusting the adjustable section which receives the hand stick. 7

12. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary member of the machine in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a matrix-line carrier permanently mounted'on said stationary member, said carrier comprising a fixed part and an adjustable part slidably mounted thereon, the adjustable part being adapted to receive and support a composed matrix line manually inserted in the machine.

13. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary member of the machine in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation to the mould, of a matrix-line carrier permanently mounted on said stationary member, said carrier comprising a fixed part and an adjustable part slidably mounted thereon, the adjustable part being adapted to receive and support a composed matrix line manually inserted in the machine and being adjustable vertically to vary the level at which the matrix line is supported relatively to the mould.

14. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is'supported in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line and a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, said carrier comprising a fixed part and an adjustable part slidably mounted thereon, the adjustable part being equipped with .means to receive and support the hand stick when manually inserted in the machine.

15. In a. typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is support ed in casting relation to the mould, of a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line and a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, said carrier comprising a fixed part and an adjustable part slidably mounted thereon, the adjustable part being equipped with means to receive and support the hand stick when manually inserted in the machine and being adjustable vertically to vary the level at which the hand stick is supported relatively to the mould.

{16. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is support-.

17. In a typographical slug casting machine, the combination with a mould and a stationary vise frame in which a line of matrices is supported in casting relation in the mould, of a hand stick wherein matrices are composed in line and a hand stick carrier permanently mounted on the vise frame, said carrier comprising a fixed part and an adjustable part slidably mounted thereon, cooperating means on the adjustable part and the hand stick to prevent displacement of the stick relatively thereto, and means for actuating the adjustable part to vary the level at which the hand stick is supported relatively to the mould.

CHRISTIAN AUGUSTUS ALBRECHT. 

